Archive for the 'Washington' Tag Under 'UCLA' Category

The grades are in from UCLA's 44-30 win over Washington on Saturday...

PASS OFFENSE

For those who have ever wondered if Brett Hundley could be a successful NFL quarterback, Saturday's film against Washington is evidence of the affirmative. Hundley was phenomenal against the Huskies, completing 29 of his 36 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns. He threw crispyl down the field (averaging 8.2 yards per attempt), he stepped up confidently into the pocket play after play, and he rarely scrambled unnecessarily. He ran the ball just seven times -- after toting it 65 times in his prior four games combined -- and two of those carries went for touchdowns. Hundley was clearly determined to air it out in the pass game, in hopes of taking advantage of Washington's inexperience in the secondary, and he did so with great ease in Seattle. Now the Bruins' all-time leader in touchdown passes, Hundley had one of his best games ever on Saturday. If he can keep up like this, UCLA might not lose again this season.

1. A trio of freshman in Washington's secondary could be open season for Brett Hundley. Lately, UCLA's opponents have opted to drop eight into coverage on a regular basis, in hopes of keeping Hundley from throwing deep. Washington will probably choose to do the same, but after this week's dismissal of future first-round NFL corner Marcus Peters, Washington will roll with three freshmen on the back end, which should have offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone's mouth watering. Given how stout Washington has been against the run (third in the Pac-12), it'll be interesting to see how much Mazzone calls for Hundley to test the Huskies' suddenly fresh-faced defensive backfield. Hundley has been more inclined to run lately, so it's anyone's guess if he looks down the field much in this one. Without Peters, though, expect Jordan Payton to have a big day.

2. Shaq vs. Jack. The two-way matchup we've been waiting for! Washington's Shaq Thompson will start at running back in this one, while UCLA's Myles Jack will play primarily linebacker; though, both will probably dabble on the other side of the ball. Thompson has been a revelation in Washington's backfield, averaging nearly eight yards per carry in his two starts at running back. UCLA's improvement against the run last week will undoubtedly be tested by Thompson, who's unlike any running back -- outside of maybe Utah's Devontae Booker -- that the Bruins have faced all season. Up against his hometown team, Jack should be as motivated as he has been all season. But will he get a chance to tote the rock on offense? Chances are, with Paul Perkins still doing so well, we'll see him carry the ball a few times in short-yardage situations. That means only a few chances to see Shaq vs. Jack come full circle, with each tackling the other.

3. Washington's twin terrors up front vs. UCLA's suddenly resurgent offensive line. UCLA's offensive line has improved in-season more than any of its position groups, but against the Huskies, it'll have a brutal test against two of the most disruptive players, not only in the Pac-12, but in the nation. Defensive tackle Danny Shelton and outside rusher Hau'oli Kikaha have combined for more sacks than UCLA's entire team this season. Shelton leads Washington in tackles (70), which is ridiculous for a defensive tackle. And Kikaha leads the nation in sacks (15.5) and tackles for loss (21.5). They'll both be gunning for Hundley all night long, and if the first half of the season is any indication, the Bruins don't do well when they're thrown off schedule by sacks. If Washington has any hope of stopping UCLA's offense, it'll have to win the battle up front. If UCLA hopes to cruise through this one, it'll be upto the line to keep the offense together.

LOS ANGELES -- UCLA's run game is no longer by-committee, with Paul Perkins taking the position by force this season. But the recent ascent of freshman Nate Starks has UCLA's coaches as confident as ever in the future of the Bruins' backfield depth, as well.

Starks turned in his best performance of the season against Arizona, touching the ball just seven times, but racking up 56 yards anyway. His power running style gives UCLA a different look than what it gets from Perkins and also gives offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone less reason to use two-way sophomore Myles Jack on short-yardage situations.

"What I’ve noticed is he has good collision balance," Mazzone said. "There’s times when the collision happens, and he comes out of that pile running. .. Every week, I’m really happy with his progress."

Now, it's just a matter of opportunity. Perkins is averaging 21 touches per game this season -- not exactly workhorse numbers. Senior Jordon James is still in the picture; though, his touches per game have gone done from 6.2 in the first five games to 3.75 in the last four.

Starks should be in line for more carries down the stretch this season, but with Perkins in the midst of a breakout season, he won't have many chances to show how far he's already come in his first year at UCLA.